Can Dogs eat Tater Tots? If you have a dog and are wondering if they can eat tater tots, the answer is no, dogs can’t eat Tater Tots. They contain some toxic ingredients that dogs should not consume, like onion. Tater tots also come in many different forms which may be unhealthy for your pup depending on how it was cooked.
Are you munching on a pack of Tater tots now and feel guilty eating them alone and not giving to your dog or puppy? Well, worry not! Tater tots are delicious and easy for humans to eat but they’re not very good for dogs.
This article covers all of the reasons why tater tots are bad for your dog and what else they can eat instead!
What Is A Tater Tot?
Tater tots are a deep-fried, crispy snack food that is made of potatoes. They range in size from about an inch across to over one foot. The tater tot originated at the fast food chain Burger King and they also carry them as a side dish on their menu today.
What Are The Ingredients Of A Tater Tot?
The ingredients in tater tots vary by the brand you buy. They are usually made with potatoes, partially-hydrogenated vegetable oil (trans fat), salt, and other preservatives. Some may also contain onion or garlic which can be toxic for your dog!
Tater Tots Commercial History
The tater tot was invented in 1953 by a man named Alex T. Peters at the company for which he worked, the Ore-Ida Company (now part of Kraft Foods). He initially called them “potato puffs.”
Tater tots were first introduced to Burger King on December 31, 1967 as an alternative side dish and they continue to offer them today.
What Can Tater Tot Be Used For?
Tater tot can be used as a side dish, in stuffing, or even atop a salad! You could also make tater tot casserole with real ingredients and it would still taste great. The possibilities are endless when you start thinking about what you could do with the tater tot.
Tater Tot Facts
- The Ore-Ida Company (now part of Kraft Foods) invented tater tots in 1953 and they were initially called “potato puffs”
- Tater tots are common at many fast food restaurants, such as Burger King
- One serving of tater tots contains 210 calories, 13 grams of total fat and 300 milligrams of sodium
- Tater tot can also be used as a side dish for dishes such as macaroni & cheese or chili. However, they are not the healthiest option
- Tater tot casserole is another popular recipe that you could consider.
- Tater tots are sometimes boiled in water before being fried in oil, but there is no nutritional value when this occurs
- There are many different ways that you can make tater tot casserole without using any preservatives or bad fats.
Can Dogs Eat Tater Tots?
Can Dogs eat Tater Tots? No, dogs can’t have Tater Tots to keep their health in prime shape. Tater Tot ingredients are generally not dog safe unless cooked at home. Tater Tot recipes will have huge concentration of salt, preservatives and fat content which adds to a lot of calories. Not just that, Tater Tots will be fried in oil that are unhealthy if you get from fast food outlets. Some Tater Tot recipes may also contain onions that are dangerous to dog’s health.
Is It Good For Dogs To Eat Tater Tot?
If your dog eats tater tots, they may be at risk of becoming overweight or obese. So, naturally it is unsafe for dogs to eat Tater Tots in large quantities
Dog Ate Tater Tot Recipe Ideas
There are many different ways that you can make tater tot casserole without using any preservatives or bad fats.
- Tater Tots are boiled in water before being fried in oil, but there is no nutritional value when this occurs
- Vegetables may also be added to the dish for a healthier option if desired. Add some low fat cheese and a healthy sauce for a little more taste.
- Cooks and tastes like a vegetable dish with rice instead of tater tots, which makes it good for dogs
- Can also be made into mashed potatoes by adding milk or water.
- Tater tots can also be replaced in most recipes with cauliflower without sacrificing the desired results
Can Dogs Have Tater Tots Frozen?
No, Dogs cannot have Tater Tots frozen because they are made of potatoes and you don’t know the quality of ingredients used and the cooking pattern before they froze it. If frozen items are not cooked at the optimum temperature, they might lose all their nutrients before they freeze it.
Can Dogs Eat Tater Tot Casserole?
If you want to feed your dog a high-calorie meal, there are plenty of other foods that would be more appropriate. Tater tot casserole is the same as tater tots with cheeses or milk and bread crumbs on top — so it’s not exactly healthy for humans either! If you’re tempted by this dish, eat it yourself and make a bowl of Peanut Butter Dog Treats for your pup.
How To Make a Dog-Safe Tater Tot Casserole With Cauliflower?
Dog Safe Tater Tot Casserole with Cauliflower can be easily made at home.
- To make the dish, you start off by boiling a large head of cauliflower – about 12 or 13 cups of water should do.
- Then place it in a food processor to puree it until smooth and discard any pieces that are not broken down into small enough pieces.
- Add tater tots (frozen) so they soak up all the cauliflower goodness.
- Add in some chicken broth for extra flavor then top with bacon and cheese (or whatever your dog likes)
- Bake at 350 degrees F until the tater tots are nice and crispy!
The Dog-Safe Tater Tot Casserole Recipe
Ingredients
- One large head of cauliflower, boiled in 12 to 13 cups of water
- One package of frozen tater tots, drained and rinsed
- Two tablespoons chicken broth
- Bacon crumbles or diced bacon pieces for topping the casserole with (or whatever your dog likes)
Instructions
- Pulse cauliflower mixture into a smooth puree in a blender.
- Add tater tots (frozen) so they soak up all the cauliflower goodness.
- Add in some chicken broth for extra flavor then top with bacon and cheese (or whatever your dog likes)
- Bake at 350 degrees F until the tater tots are nice and crispy!
Baked Tater Tot Dog Treats Recipe
Ingredients
- One large head of cauliflower, boiled in 12 to 13 cups of water
- Two tablespoons chicken broth
- One package of frozen tater tots, drained and rinsed
- Bacon crumbles or diced bacon pieces for topping the casserole with (or whatever your dog likes)
Instructions
- Pulse cauliflower mixture into a smooth puree in a blender. Add tater tots so they soak up all the cauliflower goodness.
- Add in some chicken broth for extra flavor then top with bacon and cheese (or whatever your dog likes)
- Bake at 350 degrees F until the tater tots are nice and crispy!
Should I Feed My Dog Tater Tots?
Can Dogs Eat Tater Tots? Maybe one or two if homemade and healthy but otherwise no. If you’re still tempted by tater tots after all this information, go ahead and give them to your dog in moderation.
We recommend giving your dog tater tots if they’re cooked without onion, are baked or fried in healthy oils like olive oil, and don’t have a lot of preservatives and bad fats for their diet.
5 Health Issues If My Ate Dog Ate Tater Tots
You can expect your dog to show the following 7 health symptoms if your dog ate a bag full of tater tots
- Vomiting and Diarrhea: If they ate too many tater tots, your dog will vomit or have diarrhea.
- Constipation: The high sodium content found in these fried potatoes can lead to constipation if not monitored closely.
- Higher Cholesterol Levels: Since the recipes are often cooked with vegetable oils that have a lot of fat content, your dog will have higher cholesterol levels.
- Lethargic Behavior: All the preservatives and bad fats found in tater tots can cause fatigue and lethargy if eaten too frequently
- Bad Breath or Tongue Coatings: The onion content found in these potato snacks is toxic to dogs, leading them to develop a sour
How To Train Dog Not To Eat Tater Tots In The Future?
There are a few different methods to try and discourage your dog from eating tater tots.
- You can use food puzzles, bones or chew toys as an alternative snack.
- There are also some products on the market that will keep them away from junk foods like bacon flavored toothpaste which tastes awful for dogs!
- Another option is regular vet checkups to make sure that your dog is on a well-balanced diet.
What Can Dogs Eat Besides Tater Tots?
There are a variety of healthy foods that dogs can enjoy as an alternative to tater tots.
Some good options include: cooked meat, eggs, peanut butter, oatmeal, cheese and carrots.
Your dog’s food should have the right amount of protein, carbs and fats for them to be in tip-top shape!
FAQs
Can Dogs Have Tater Tots?
Yes, dogs can have tater tots, but they should not be given more than once in awhile as the bad fats and preservatives will cause them health problems if eaten frequently! Dog owners who want to give their pet tater tots as a treat should be sure to remove the skin and fat from before cooking them.
TIP: If your dog does have an episode of Tater Tot munching, make sure he doesn’t eat any more! Dogs who ingest onions can experience vomiting, diarrhea or even worse neurological problems.
Do Dogs Like Tater Tots?
Some dogs love tater tots, but as a rule most prefer them cooked in healthy oils and not fried. Even if they don’t prefer them in a healthy way, you as a dog owner need to take responsibility and keep them healthy.
Final Verdict On Can Dogs Eat Tater Tots
Can Dogs Eat Tater Tots? No, dogs cannot eat tater tots because it will give them health problems! Raw potatoes are fine for your dog if you can’t find something else he likes more .
Can Dogs Eat Tater Tots? The first reason your dog shouldn’t eat tater tots is because the recipe will be high in bad fats, preservatives, and salts. What’s more? Tater tots are usually baked or fried in oils which gives these yummy foods a high calorie count. Some potatoes are also cooked with onion; this might sound good but onion is actually a toxic food for dogs.
Can Dogs Eat Tater Tots? A lot of people don’t know that tater tots are bad for your dog, but they can cause things like diarrhea and vomiting! This might be because the potatoes will have more water content than their regular counterparts which makes them easier to digest; this also means there’s less nutrients in each serving.
Potatoes are also a part of the nightshade family, which means they can be dangerous for dogs that suffer from issues with their digestive tract.
Dogs will usually chew through anything you put in front of them so it’s important to keep an eye on what your dog is eating and limit treats like tater tots.
Other Dog Food or Nutrition related questions answered in detail
Welcome to Learn About Pet. My name is Rajkumar Ravichandran and I love all pets, travel, and amazing food. I write about my passion and personal experience caring for multiple pets in this blog! ❤️
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